Police chase ends in crash at church (updated)

Wade Allen

Thursday

Mar 28, 2013 at 12:01 AMMar 28, 2013 at 3:57 PM

A police chase Thursday afternoon ended in a church yard. The driver police were pursuing drove across two lanes of traffic and a sidewalk before slamming through a wrought-iron fence and plowing into the grass at St. Mark's Episcopal. The car crashed into a tree before stopping.

A police chase Thursday afternoon ended in a church yard. The driver police were pursuing drove across two lanes of traffic and a sidewalk before slamming through a wrought-iron fence and plowing into the grass at St. Mark's Episcopal. The car crashed into a tree before stopping.

Gaston County Sheriff’s Deputy B. Putnam said he chased a white Dodge Intrepid from Westbrook Circle near Hunter Huss High School to Carolina Avenue and then onto South York Street. St. Mark’s is on the corner of West Franklin Boulevard and South York Street in Gastonia.

Speeds reached 70 to 80 mph, he said.

Driving the Dodge, 24-year-old Addison Lipscomb reportedly tried to turn right onto West Franklin Boulevard but lost control, according to authorities.

Two teenage boys were passengers in the car. Putnam said they will not face charges.

After the Dodge wrecked, Lipscomb took off on foot, running north on South York Street. Police arrested him on Main Avenue, Putnam said. He was taken to Gaston Memorial Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, police said.

Pursuit begins

The chase began after Lipscomb reportedly spotted Putnam’s patrol car on Westbrook Circle and stepped hard on his brakes. There have been reports of burglaries on the street and Putnam said he was suspicious of Lipscomb’s reaction.

He ran the license plate, found out the Dodge was reported stolen and began pursuit.

“They were all over the road, passing cars, in and out of traffic,” he said.

Lipscomb will be charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing to elude arrest, driving without a license, careless and reckless driving and injury to property, Putnam said.

Gastonia Police Department is investigating to determine whether additional charges will be filed.

A priest at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church said the damaged wrought iron gate is at least 80 years old. Crews arrived after the crash to assess the damage and fix the gate if possible.

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